Orlando Pride Win the NWSL Shield, Aces knocked out of the Playoffs

Orlando Pride Win the NWSL Shield

The last game of the weekend was a match-up between the number 1 and 2 teams in the NWSL. Number 1 Orlando who is still undefeated hosted number 2 Washington Spirit. The last time these two met it was a five-goal thriller at Audi Field in Washington, with Orlando winning 3-2. Since then The Pride have still gone undefeated and the Spirit have stayed right behind them in the standings. Going into Sunday’s match things looked a little different, Washington was missing 3-star scorers in Sarr, Bethune, and Rodman who have accounted for more than 50% of the goals for the Spirit. Orlando on the other hand had all their fuel power and that proved to be the difference in the game as the Orlando Pride shut out the Spirit with a 2-0 win at home. With this win Orlando is undefeated through 23 games and they win the NWSL League Shield. This is the first time in franchise history that Orlando Pride has won the regular season trophy. For player like Marta who has been playing with 2017 it has been a long time in the making enduring many losing seasons to get to this point. If Orlando keeps playing at this level we very well may be seeing them in the NWSL final on November 23rd in KC.

Chawinga Ties NWSL Record for Most Goals in a Season

Going into this weekend KC Currents Temwa Chawinga was on high alert to set a record for most goals scored in a single season. The Current who sit in 3rd place went on the road to face Racing Louisville at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday. The whistle blew and it was like destiny was being made as just two minutes into the game Chawinga scored her 18th goal on the season after slotting home a through ball assisted by Debihna. That goal brought Chawinga even with the NWSL record for most goals in a season set by Sam Kerr back in 2019. With the record-tying goal scored so early, many fans were certain the tie-breaking goal would be scored eventually, but the goal never came with DiBernado scoring the second goal of the game giving KC the 2-0 win on the road. With Chawinga now level at the top will she be able to go for it all in the next couple of games before the playoffs start? The KC Current plays against a struggling Bay FC on Saturday, Oct, 12 at 7 pm PST.

Aces Knocked out of the Playoffs, Sun vs Lynx is going to a Game 5

Sunday’s WNBA Playoff action started with game four between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. Going into the game, the Liberty were up 2-1 on the series and just needed to win today to go to the WNBA Final. The Aces, who are the 2x defending champs, had to get another win just to force a game five on Tuesday. After the Aces held Sabrina Ionescu to only 3 points on Friday, she was determined not to let that happen again. Sabrina led the way with 22 points, and Brianna, with 19 points, was right behind her to help push Liberty to a 76-62 victory in Las Vegas. The Liberty win the series 3-1, knocking out the 2x WNBA Champions as well as the League MVP A’ja Wilson. The Liberty will travel back to New York, where they will await the winner of the Lynx Vs Sun game for game one of the WNBA Finals this Thursday. The second game of the evening was a close one between the Lynx and the Suns. The Lynx had a chance to end the series with a win on Sunday, which would send them to the Finals on Thursday, but the Connecticut Suns had different plans. The Suns played lights out thanks in part to the return of their starting point guard Ty Harris, who was out last game with an ankle injury. With Ty running the point, it allowed the rest of the starters to thrive in their natural roles. Bonner and Thomas both scored 18 points, while Ty led the way with 20 points. The Lynx unfortunately had no answer to the physical play of the Suns, and it resulted in the Suns getting the 92-82 win, tying the series at 2-2 and forcing a game 5. The Lynx hope to bounce back as game five will be back in Minnesota on Tuesday. Regardless of who wins Tuesday, it will be a quick turnaround to the Finals on Thursday, which could give the Liberty the upper hand. Make sure to tune in on Tuesday to see a gut-wrenching game five.